While the WSOP is in full swing, Isabelle “No Mercy” Mercier is back in Las Vegas after a six-year absence. The CoinPoker ambassador and owner of PlayPineapplePoker answered our questions just a few hours before entering WSOP Event #52, the $1,500 Freezeout.
Isabelle, you’re back in Las Vegas. The last time you were there was in 2019. What brings you back this time?
First, I missed Vegas a lot! I love this city, and I have a lot of memories here. In the early 2000s, when I didn’t have a real home and was living out of my suitcase, I used to stay for months at the Bellagio, in a junior corner suite. It felt like home. So I’m really happy to be back this year. I have some meetings planned, and I’ll also play a few tournaments, including the $1,500 Freezeout and the Millionaire Maker.
What are you hoping for during this trip?
A bracelet! But more realistically, I just want to feel the same excitement I had when I used to play here in the beginning. I’m also seeing some old friends—it feels like stepping into a time machine.
What would winning a WSOP title mean to you?
It would be amazing, but I’d need the stars to align because I’m not playing that many tournaments this year. But like Gus always used to say, “Someone has to win!” A WSOP title is still one of the most beautiful achievements in poker, but I’d also be happy with another WPT title.
There’s still no OFC at the WSOP. Do you think it will ever happen?
We shouldn’t give up hope. I’m disappointed there aren’t more OFC tournaments, but that can change. I remember the time before Chris Moneymaker—no one thought No-Limit Hold’em would become so popular. Things can change quickly. We just need a spark, a breakthrough. I still believe it’s possible, and I’m working with my colleagues at CoinPoker to bring OFC back to the platform.
And live OFC?
It’s tricky. Dealers aren’t trained for it, so players must count the points themselves. Also, it takes one dealer for just two or three players max, so it’s not a good setup for the casino.
Is there a solution?
Yes, with cards that have NFC chips, we could imagine an automatic scoring system. That would help. But what we really need is a festival that’s willing to host an OFC tournament. A lot of pro players love OFC and play it together, so it’s a bit frustrating. But I’m patient…
What would be a memorable moment in Vegas?
Back in the early 2000s, someone asked Phil Ivey for an autograph — something almost unheard of back then.At that moment, I thought… poker is going to explode in the coming years — it’s a sign!
This year the WSOP is at Paris and Horseshoe. Do you miss the Rio?
Of course, I have great memories at the Rio—it’s a legendary place. I played so many tournaments there. But it was the end of an era. I’m very happy to play at Paris and Horseshoe now. Once you’re deep in a tournament, you forget where you are anyway.
What are you working on now?
I’m a CoinPoker ambassador, since day one. I recently released a second book called “Chroniques d’une joueuse de poker”, written by David Nathan. It’s a collection of 36 short stories (in French for now, but the English version is coming) about my early poker years, with some reflections on the game and how it has changed. It’s a fun read. My next book will be about OFC, which I’m co-writing with my good friend Christoph Haller. We hope to release it by the end of the year.
